Fort Wayne's Atre named Wells Scholar at IU

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Manasee Atre of Fort Wayne, Ind., has been selected as a Wells Scholar at Indiana University, one of 20 entering freshmen so honored. She plans to study business at IU.

The Wells Scholarship, named in honor of the late IU Chancellor Herman B Wells, ranks among the most competitive and prestigious awards offered by any American university. Wells Scholars receive full tuition, fees and a living stipend for four years of undergraduate study on the IU Bloomington campus.

A National Merit Finalist and a Hoosier Scholar, Atre graduated from Homestead High School with the distinction of salutatorian. She also was honored with the President's Award for Educational Excellence and the ITT Industries Scholarship.

Atre captained her school's Math Super Bowl team, which placed third and fourth in regional competitions. She pursued her interest in journalism as a writer, designer, copy editor and editorial board member for her school newspaper, The Spartana, which won a National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Award and was named a Five Star All-American Newspaper. In addition, she was a member of the Quill and Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists and of the National Scholastic Press Association's Journalism Honor Roll.

A three-year member of the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony, she played violin in her school's award-winning orchestra for four years and earned superior ratings in state solo competition.

She served as Homestead's representative to the Indiana East Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference and Hoosier Girls State, where she was elected to city and party office. In addition, she was involved in Amnesty International, Key Club, Spanish club, speech team and a diversity study group, Study Circles. She has volunteered at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

The Wells Scholars program offers special seminars, an optional year of study abroad and support for a summer research project or internship. It also emphasizes close interaction with faculty, academic and career advising, opportunities for community service and contact with distinguished visitors. Wells Scholars are members of the Honors College at IU, where they have the opportunity to apply for grants in support of research, teaching internships, professional experience, creative activity, conference travel and honors thesis work. They are selected for having demonstrated character, leadership and distinction, both inside and outside of the classroom.